Anxiety in the Elderly: A Caregiver’s Guide

Anxiety in the Elderly: A Caregiver’s Guide - MalaysiaCaregiving Support

Anxiety in the Elderly: A Caregiver’s Guide

Know a senior struggling with anxious thoughts or feelings? Recognise the warning signs of anxiety in the elderly and discover practical ways to help your loved one manage their symptoms.

What You Need To Know About Anxiety

We have all felt anxious at some point in to our lives – when we’re interviewing for a job or receiving our medical results. It’s a normal bodily response to stressful situations to alert us if danger is lurking so we can protect ourselves. Anxiety disorders on the other hand are more than temporary worries. Interestingly, anxiety in the elderly is common but often goes unrecognised. Let’s take a look at Dahlia’s case.

Dahlia is a newly retired teacher in her late 60’s. She worries a great deal about a lot of things in life, especially about her family. Dahlia is also particularly concerned about her neighbourhood’s safety and checks the door locks every other hour. Recently, she received news of an unexpected health crisis and this keeps her tossing and turning at night.Perhaps you know a senior loved one who is like Dahlia. Discover what you need to know about the condition and how to navigate caring for an elderly living with anxiety.

What is anxiety disorder?

Ananxiety disorderis an intense and persistent response of worry or fear. Usually, it is towards something perceived or anticipated to be harmful. This condition triggers physical, emotional and/or psychological state. Consequently, this interferes with an individual’s normal daily functioning hence should be treated with care. Some examples of anxiety disorders are Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and phobia.

What are the causes and triggers?

Many environmental and situational factors contribute to this condition, although the cause is unclear. Among them are genetics, chemical imbalance, genetics, substance abuse, other medical conditions or a traumatic event. Anxiety triggers that are more common in the elderly include:

  • Financial insecurity
  • Chronic pain or health issues
  • New retirement
  • Loneliness
  • Loss of independence
  • Loss of a loved one
  • End-of-life planning

How common are anxiety disorders in older adults?

Anxiety disorders arefairly commonin older adults, affecting10 to 20 percentof people. In fact, they are found more often in older adults than depression and cognitive disorders. For instance, a 2016 study reported that the prevalence of anxiety among the elderly in rural communities in Malaysia is22.6 percent. In spite of that, anxiety disorders often go undiagnosed.

Caring For an Elderly with Anxiety

Do you know an elderly family member, friend or spouse who is experiencing anxiety disorders? They might be living under the same roof or kilometres apart, and you wonder what you can do beyond saying, “Everything will be okay.” Understanding how you can be aware of the condition can be tremendous help in the way you respond and care for an elderly living with anxiety.

1. Recognise the warning signs

It’s important to stay alert of thesignsor any changes to provide the right care in a loving, supportive way. Most anxiety disorders indeed share similar physical, mental or behavioural symptoms.

Physical signs

  • Fatigue
  • Muscle tension or achiness
  • Difficulty sleeping (sleep disturbances, restlessness or nightmares)
  • Difficulty breathing

Mental signs

  • Irritability
  • Inability to focus
  • Memory issues
  • Confusion

Behavioural signs

  • Excessive nervousness or tension
  • Excessive intake of alcohol or medication
  • Irrational thoughts or behaviours (for example, constantly cleaning)

These symptoms are neither all present nor do they occur at the same time. However, you may notice your loved one exhibiting more than one of these signs. If that is so, consider speaking to a medical professional about how to address this. Be sure to note down any triggers or changes in their behaviour. Informing them of any medical history would also be of great help. Caregiving can still be a physically and emotionally demanding journey, especially when you’re juggling between work and family. provides professional caregiving to support you with daily activities like showering, meal preparation, medical escort and medication reminders.

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2. Seek diagnosis and treatment

If left to fester, these anxiety conditions can lead to impairments in physical, mental and social functioning. As a result, they can affect or complicate any other chronic conditions the person might have. That is why it is crucial to seek help early and nip anxiety in the bud. A psychiatrist or psychologist is trained and licensed to evaluate a person’s symptoms and make an accurate diagnosis, provide treatment options, and monitor your loved one’s recovery progress over time.

Therapy

Therapy is a great place to start when any mental health concerns are affecting your daily lives. It lets the individual open up about their feelings, and why they are feeling a certain way, as well as how to cope. This is especially useful if you find that your loved one might be in a position that requires professional help. One of the most effective types of therapy is known ascognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). CBTallows a person to evaluate their thinking and behavioural patterns in light of reality, and develop coping strategies. Keep in mind that improvement takes time, even with therapy. That said, if you’re willing to put in the hours to make it work, therapy can be truly rewarding.

Medication

The medical professional may also recommendmedicationsto help treat the symptoms. For instance, antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications are frequently used to improve chemical imbalances and boost mood. Although, in certain circumstances, they may prescribe other types of medications such as sedatives or beta blockers – these are meant for short-term use only. You could ask the doctor about the benefits, risks and possible side effects too.

3. Make the most of care plans

Anxiety care often combines both medication and therapy for the most effective results, depending on the type and severity of the disorder. Getting the best care for your loved one can help them find contentment and lead a healthier lifestyle. Speak to your doctor about how you can stay involved in their road to recovery on a regular basis. Some questions you might ask are:

  • When will he/she feel better?
  • What else can he/she do to relieve my symptoms?
  • Should he/she see a psychiatrist or a psychologist?
  • Are there any resources available that can help with his/her condition?

4. Practise anxiety techniques together

Living with anxiety can be a lonely journey, especially for an elderly person who has newly retired or lost a loved one. It might be helpful to try some anxiety management techniques out with them to help them stay motivated. The5-4-3-2-1 Coping Techniqueis a useful practice that can be incorporated into your daily routines to keep anxiety at bay:

  • Look around you and name 5 things you see
  • Hold still and name 4 things you feel or touch
  • Listen to your surroundings and name 3 things you hear
  • Take a sniff and name 2 things you smell
  • Swallow and name 1 thing you taste

Other helpfulgrounding techniquesare deep breathing, meditation and journalling. These techniques can become more effective over time if you make them a habit. Thus, try making this a weekly routine for you and your senior loved one. This makes them look forward to something every week.

5. Have regular check-ins

Besides anxiety techniques, another way to care for your elderly living with anxiety is to engage in regular conversations with them. Talking can lift their spirits and make them feel supported. Begin by setting a comfortable and safe space to talk about their struggles. Then, use open-ended conversation starters that will help them process their thoughts and respond appropriately. For example, you might say, “What do you find yourself thinking about during the day?” Next, actively listen and let them know you’re here for them. You can also try using affirmations like, “I love spending time with you because you matter to me.”

Tips for new caregivers

Caregiving is a whole new territory for many with aging parents. On top of that, seeing frequent changes in your parent’s behaviour as they age can make one worrisome. Finding the right resources will allow you to navigate this transition with a head start. Here are another three ways to assist you in becoming a proactive, intentional caregiver.

1. Choosing the right care

You’re probably feeling overwhelmed trying to figure out which care is best for your elderly living with anxiety. That’s normal. Try asking those around you for tips on how they make decisions about personal care for their elderly parents. People like your friends, coworkers or relatives of the same age group are most likely looking for solutions just like you. Perhaps you’re waiting for a moment when it feels right to engage professional help. Truth be told, the sooner you start treatment, the better the outcome you might expect. As Roy T. Bennett once said, “Don’t wait for the right moment to start, start and make each moment right.

Flexible and Personalised Care At Your Fingertips

Arranging the right care plan for your aging loved one is an important and highly personal process. You are not alone. offers a wide range of elderly care services to attend to their needs round-the-clock. Our penjaga profesional can help you to develop a personalised care plan for your seniors that addresses everything from nutrition to medication management and regular therapy sessions. Want to speak to a penasihat about how to create a plan?Fill the formbelow and we’ll be with you shortly.

2. Finding a support group

Maybe you don’t have many connections around you. Have you considered joining a caregiver support group in your area? A support group connects you with other family caregivers that support one another by sharing their personal experiences and practical tips. It is also an amazing place to receive guidance and encouragement to continue living a productive life as a working adult while taking care of senior parents.

3. Caring for yourself as a caregiver

The road ahead may not be an easy one. Realistically speaking, some days can be more difficult than others. Make sure you are also taking care of your own physical and mental health as you care for others. Take oneintentionalstep at a time – First start with small goals, then take a breather every once in a while, and lastly, celebrate your little victories.

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